The Gazette is taking part in a campaign to raise awareness about the need for more professional carers in London. We spoke to two who have just picked up new awards from the council for their dedication.
“I love this job because caring for people gives me a buzz.”
Angela Mitchell said these words as she picked up her award for “care worker of the year” at Hackney Town Hall.
“If I make people happy, it makes me happy too.”
Angela, 58, came top of the “homecare” category at Hackney Council’s inaugural care awards, set up to recognise the work they do for tens of thousands of people.
She was nominated by the son and daughter-in-law of 94-year-old Sidney Hodgson, who she had cared for until his death last month.
Kevin and Pat Hodgson credit Angela, who works for Aquaflo Care agency in Kingsland High Street, Dalston, for keeping Sidney “going for 14 months longer than he would have done had she not been there”.
Pat – who travelled 170 miles from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, with her husband on Thursday to see Angela pick up the award – said: “Angela went into hospital every day to see him towards the end because he relied on her so much. She was there until 20 minutes before he passed away. We were still travelling down the motorway.
“She said goodbye and went home expecting to see him the next day.
“I think he would have given up, but he definitely responded to her caring. When he had his Telecare button he was pushing it thinking Angela would come to his aid – he couldn’t understand why these other people kept turning up.”
Meanwhile Sahar Gul, 50, a council employee who works at the Morrel Court sheltered housing scheme in Haggerston, was the overall winner in the “housing with care” category.
Linda Wiles, who nominated him, said she would recommend him to anyone needing a carer: “He takes his time to calm me down when I am upset or feeling unwell. He makes me feel safe and reassures me that I am going to be OK. He shows a lot of respect and care from the heart.”
Sahar said: “I never even thought about awards and was so surprised to be nominated. The work makes me happy because I have helped someone.”
More than 200 care workers were nominated for the awards by service users, and 28 people were shortlisted by a panel led by Cllr Jonathan McShane – the council’s health chief and the driving force behind the awards.
Visit londoncarejobs24.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here